When Radiator Repair is Necessary
Radiator repair sneaks up on us when we least expect it. Perhaps you are idling at a traffic stop or trapped in the midst of a jammed up freeway, when all of a sudden steam begins to rise from underneath the hood of your car. Your heart sinks into your stomach, as you realize your next stop is not your intended destination, but a radiator repair shop instead.
So, what happens to your radiator that makes radiator repair necessary? Have you noticed weeping or dripping, or has your radiator begun spraying coolant? Then you have a radiator leak. Don't ignore a leak! Your engine will overheat. Take your car to your radiator repair shop as soon as possible. You could try to plug the leak with additives, but leak additives provide only a temporary fix and can leave deposits that will clog your cooling system. Leaks can also occur as the result of fatigue from vibrations, mechanical stress or collision damage. Radiator repair in this circumstance is usually successful if the radiator is in otherwise good condition.
Excessive pressure in the cooling system creates splits in radiator seams or in the space between tubes and header. A test of the pressure cap will reveal whether it is of the wrong rating for your radiator. Ask your radiator repair technician to pressure test your cooling system for internal coolant leaks, as combustion chamber leaks will allow exhaust to get into your cooling system.
Radiator repair will be necessary if your radiator fails from excessive heat. Neglected low coolant levels cause an engine to run hot; the steam will erode and melt a hole through your end tank! Neglected coolant will also plug your radiator tubes and clog your entire radiator from little coolant flow and heat transfer. In this circumstance, your radiator repair shop technician will clean and flush your cooling system and may end up removing the radiator itself for cleaning and possible replacement.